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Topic Review (Newest First)

03-26-2012 09:37 PM

39 chev

led taillights

I put the led lenses in my 39 Chevy.The lense type are much brighter than trying to use a LED bulb in the stock tailight lense. I have regular bulbs in my front turn signals,and did not have to change the flasher,evidently the bulbs draw enough juice to heat up the flasher.

03-26-2012 08:59 PM

vicrod

Change to an LED flasher. Easy to do, just remove to old type and plug it in. They work with any type of lamp or combination of lamp types.

vicrod

03-26-2012 08:33 PM

vicrod

db flyer has touched on an interesting subject. It would be cool to see others post their views on this LED issue.
LEDs present a very ripe technical and creative opportunity for those that dare to try it.

vicrod

03-26-2012 07:53 PM

db flyer

Thanks for your continued follow up on this LED thing guys. I think I will try
the tower type that EOD Guy has, and look up that beeper flasher that Vicrod
mentioned.

03-26-2012 04:37 PM

EOD Guy

No argument there..... but my tower type bulbs are very much brighter that the incandesenct 1157 bulbs. The single LED 1157s I bought the 1st time around were brighter when viewed directly from the rear ..... but 30 degrees to the side and they were dimmer. The new tower type do not have that issue.

03-26-2012 03:12 PM

vicrod

Selecting the correct LED product can be tricky as there are, yet, no standards to compare them to incandescent bulbs. Some say that LEDs are unique and a direct comparison is not possible. Stay tuned.
Unlike standard lamps LEDs are directional. So the viewing angle is important when selecting a product.
For example: the 1157 (dual brightness) bulb that is very common and the #1157 is a recognized standard product made by many Companies. The only difference being the quality.
When viewed as a taillight the angle is likley 100* or less. The lens helps to focus the light.
When we try to compare an 1157 to an LED we find a number of added parameters to be considered. www.superbrightleds.com sells a varied selection that are claimed to be 1157s. But the only similarity is the socket configuration.
When it comes to LEDs we are in the transition period. We may as well keep track of the progress because it's a moving target.

vicrod

03-26-2012 02:05 PM

kleen56

I purchased some LED's from ebay and did the install. The LED's weren't that much brighter (in fact I thought emitted less light than my original bulbs) and definitely not worth the money. I'm not saying LED's aren't brighter. I'm just telling you about my experience with Ebay. You may consider buying them from someone else other than Ebay. Once you buy them, your pretty much stuck with them and it's a pain to return them because of shipping, etc. I've made it priority not to order anything "electronics" on ebay...

03-26-2012 01:19 PM

vicrod

The LED flashers are quiet but they are available with an internal beeper that beeps as the lights flash.
Made by TMI LED technology model#EL98.
A small piezo buzzer could be added if needed.

The single LED bulbs aren't as good as the "tower" type, I originaly got the single ones and hve since switched to the tower type........ niether are cheap so ....... it was a 300 buck mistake.

03-25-2012 06:35 PM

db flyer

Ya, I dont care to look like a "low rider" since I want this 56 chev. to look stock. After reading that these red lenses look like brite little stars, I`m afraid of the "flashing look" , so I guess I will keep my stock lense and install
just 1157 LED red bulbs and a LED flasher. Do the LED bulbs make a noticble
briteness difference? I noticed an LED website mentioned some new flashers do not make a clicking sound, and said a clicking option was to add a relay with the flasher? Thanks

'

03-25-2012 06:12 PM

EOD Guy

I have LED lights on just about everything I own, some are just bulbs, others are complete lenses....... wouldn't worry too much about being illegal....... alot of the new high end cars have LEDs in the tail lights. The only part you might have concern with, is if the strobe or something silly like that

03-25-2012 04:15 PM

db flyer

I had not thought of these red tail/brake/turn lenses being possibly illegal.
I cannot understand how a trifive chevy parts seller could sell these at that risk? Are these lenses/lights as brite as emergency vehicles to warrant possible removal?

03-25-2012 02:31 PM

vicrod

If you want to retain the '56 chevy tail light lenses try to replace the bulb with an LED bulb. Should be much brighter. Use a red bulb. www.superbrightleds.com handles a good selection of LED products. Just make sure the LED will fit the old socket.
Clean the old lens to remove oxidation etc.
Replacement tailights (lenses) should be DOT approved. In some States non DOT lighting will not pass inspection. Check it out.

vicrod

03-25-2012 05:38 AM

EOD Guy

Flasher is by far the easier of the two.

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